Global Patent Index - EP 0976333 B2

EP 0976333 B2 20110601 - Process and device for making food particles

Title (en)

Process and device for making food particles

Title (de)

Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Herstellung von Partikeln eines Lebensmittels

Title (fr)

Procédé et dispositif de fabrication de particules alimentaires

Publication

EP 0976333 B2 20110601 (DE)

Application

EP 99112864 A 19990703

Priority

DE 19834064 A 19980729

Abstract (en)

[origin: EP0976333A2] The liquid food is formed into droplets, which fall under gravity through a set path. A gas heats them below their melting point. Hardened pellets are collected at the end of the path. An Independent claim is included for corresponding equipment. Preferred Features: The gas flows within the cross section of the column, in counter-current. The gas, nitrogen, argon, carbon dioxide and/or air, is recirculated. No structural components are contacted by the drops during their free fall. Gas temperature is less than -40 degrees C over the entire path. The gas supply temperature is below -60 degrees C, and on extraction from the path, is less than 120 degrees C. Salient equipment features include the column (3) itself, a compressor, heat exchanger and throttle for the gas. The gas can be made by evaporation from the liquid state. The droplet head (2) is an assembly of equidistant nozzles and can be heated. Gas is introduced uniformly around the tube, through a tangential channel. The tube is insulated and may be double-walled with evacuated interspace.

IPC 8 full level

A23G 1/04 (2006.01); A23G 7/02 (2006.01); A23L 3/36 (2006.01); A23L 3/375 (2006.01); A23P 10/20 (2016.01); B01J 2/04 (2006.01); F25C 1/00 (2006.01)

CPC (source: EP)

A23G 1/047 (2013.01); A23G 7/02 (2013.01); A23L 3/375 (2013.01); A23P 10/20 (2016.07); B01J 2/04 (2013.01); F25C 1/00 (2013.01)

Designated contracting state (EPC)

AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

Designated extension state (EPC)

AL LT LV MK RO SI

DOCDB simple family (publication)

EP 0976333 A2 20000202; EP 0976333 A3 20010110; EP 0976333 B1 20030528; EP 0976333 B2 20110601; AT E241287 T1 20030615; DE 19834064 A1 20000203; DE 59905715 D1 20030703; DK 0976333 T3 20030929; DK 0976333 T4 20110905; ES 2199503 T3 20040216; ES 2199503 T5 20111021; PT 976333 E 20030930

DOCDB simple family (application)

EP 99112864 A 19990703; AT 99112864 T 19990703; DE 19834064 A 19980729; DE 59905715 T 19990703; DK 99112864 T 19990703; ES 99112864 T 19990703; PT 99112864 T 19990703